Can you get shingles more than once?

Shingles is a painful disease that is caused by the reactivation of a previous infection chickenpox.

Because chickenpox is known to be a disease once it is reasonable to ask if you can have shingles more than once or not.

The answer is a bit complicated, as it is reduced to “yes” or “yes, but not specifically.”

There are different types of risk factors for shingles repeat that affect how likely you are to develop blisters bis.

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What is shingles?

Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same one that causes chickenpox. Once you have an infection of chickenpox, the virus can remain dormant for years or decades before leaving later in life. What usually happens is that the virus, which has been sleeping in his nervous system travels through the nerves in the skin once reawakens. No one really knows why this happens, but the resulting disease is quite different from chickenpox to get their own classification and name.

herpes symptoms

In the first stage of shingles, the pain is the only symptom. The pain can be very intense and has been described as pain, burning, stabbing, or shock-like sensation. Shingles usually occurs along the torso, neck or face (ie, in only one of these places), and the location can sometimes mean that shingles pain is confused with lung, heart, kidney or problem. Although some people may experience only pain, most others will develop some of the following symptoms ( 1 ):

The numbness and tingling, along with the pain;

Touch sensitivity (sensitivity);

A red rash that forms a band along the area (if you look at the pictures of shingles and chicken pox, you will realize how much more closely grouped tiles is);

The rash, pain, blistering and itching are the most common symptoms. It is worth considering that shingles is contagious and you will be able to infect anyone who has not previously had chickenpox or the vaccine. If infect others, they will develop chickenpox instead of shingles as this will be their first encounter with the varicella zoster virus. Transmission requires contact with fluid from blisters, so it will not be contagious once the blisters crusting finish. Until then, take care to avoid contact with pregnant women, people with compromised, or those who have never had chickenpox immune system.

Can you get shingles more than once?

shingles lasts about two to six weeks. Following infection, he has a very low chance of developing again suffer shingles within at least three years since your immune system is prepared, much the same way that immunity after an infection accumulates varicella ( 2 ). The difference is that this resistance decreases over time, so you can have shingles more than one life. The probability that this is really happening, however, varies. There are certain risk factors that make the risk of shingles older.

The post-herpetic neuralgia is considered a risk factor for getting shingles more than once. This is a form of long-term pain that persists for months or years after the shingles rash disappears and occurs in approximately 10% of cases. The longer the pain, the greater the risk.

Although not common, can have shingles more than once in the same place on your body ( 3 ). Most cases of repetition, however, tend to appear in a different location. If the first eruption was in his left hand, the following is more likely to be right or maybe in your face instead.

Treatment for shingles

Shingles, like chickenpox, has no cure. Antiviral drugs, especially if taken from the beginning, can help reduce the risk of complications and speed recovery from blisters. Analgesics, numbing creams or other painkillers can also be prescribed to help control symptoms. Since shingles can sting, many of the same treatments used for chicken pox itch can work here too. This includes such things as oatmeal baths, wet compresses or calamine lotion.

There is also a shingles vaccine that the CDC recommends, even if you have already experienced shingles because it can still help protect against recurrence ( 4 ). The vaccine is not 100%, but reduce your risk shingles by about half and reduces the risk of post-herpetic neuralgia around 67%.

The shingles vaccine is especially recommended for people aged 60 years or older and should not be taken if you are still experiencing an outbreak of shingles.

Seeing your doctor

is always a good idea to schedule an appointment with your doctor if you start to show symptoms of shingles because, although usually not dangerous, the disease can be extremely painful and distressing if untreated. There are certain circumstances that require medical attention more than others, however. Any of the following should be considered risk factors for complications:

The rash or pain passes near his eye. A herpes zoster infection here can lead to permanent damage.

you are 70 years of age or older, as the risk of complications increases with age.

You or someone in your family has a weakened immune system.

The rash is painful enough to impair daily activity.

The rash is widespread and not limited to a single location.

Shingles is quite common. About one in three Americans will eventually develop shingles during their lifetime. While you may have shingles more than once, repeated episodes are much less likely and only affect about 24 people per 10,000 according to a study. Vaccination remains one of the best preventive measures against both their first infection shingles and any other future, so talk to your doctor about whether you are concerned about your risk factors.

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Disclaimer

All content on this website is for informational purposes only and should not be considered to be a specific diagnosis or treatment plan for any individual situation. Use of this website and the information contained herein does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always consult with your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others.